Yahya Abdul-Mateen II discusses his experience on Aquaman

After being treated to two movies this year, DC fans have close to twelve months to wait for the next instalment of the DC Extended Universe, as Jason Momoa reprises the role of Arthur Curry for the Aquaman solo movie. Joining Momoa in the cast will be Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (The Get Down), who is set to portray Aquaman’s nemesis David Hyde, a.k.a. Black Manta, and the actor has been chatting to GQ about his experience on the film and shooting in Australia.

“The scale is epic and this movie is going to be so good,” said Abdul-Mateen. “I can’t say too much, but in the hands of James Wan and with Jason Momoa at the helm, I think people are going to be really happy with it. It’s been about five days a week in the gym and doing fight training, too. I have a love-hate relationship with working out. I do not enjoy the experience when I’m doing it, but I never regret it. I think I’m in the best shape of my life.”

“It’s just so low stress [in Australia],” he continued. “I love it and have been telling everyone that if they ever get the chance they should come visit. I kind of assumed all of Australia was like the Gold Coast – so I was telling people Australians just work out and go to the beach. Like, Australia has it figured out! But then I went to Sydney and it was nothing like the Gold Coast – but I still loved it.”

Aquaman is directed by James Wan (The Conjuring) and stars Jason Momoa as the titular hero, reprising his role from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, along with Amber Heard as Mera, Patrick Wilson as Ocean Master, Willem Dafoe as Dr. Vulko, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus, Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry, Ludi Lin as Murk, Michael Beach as Jesse Kane, Otis Dhanji as a young Arthur Curry and Graham McTavish in an as-yet-unrevealed role. It is set for release on December 21st 2018.